Witchy Wednesday a Quick Intro to Hekate

Hekate is my main Goddess. There are others that I have relationships with but she is the main one.

She is known as a powerful goddess in Greek mythology associated with magic, witchcraft, crossroads, and the underworld. Her worship has a long history, and she is still venerated by many modern Pagans and Witches. 

There are many ways you can honor Hekate in your daily life. 

Here are a few suggestions:

Create an altar or sacred space dedicated to Hekate. You can decorate it with images of the goddess, candles, crystals, or other objects that are meaningful to you and represent Hekate's energy. Some of her symbols are keys, torches, owls, dogs, snakes, and Hekate’s wheel. Her colors are red, black and white. 

Offerings and prayers. You can offer Hekate libations of wine, honey, or other beverages, or burn incense in her honor. You can also say prayers or recite hymns to her. You can find many resources online that offer examples of prayers and hymns to Hekate.

Incorporate Hekate into your daily rituals. For example, you can light a candle for her at the start of your day or say a prayer to her during your meditation.

Study and learn about Hekate. Reading about her mythology, history, and associations can deepen your understanding and connection to her. You can also explore different aspects of her energy, such as her role as a goddess of magic, the underworld, or crossroads.

Do acts of service in her name. Hekate is often associated with acts of service, particularly those that help people who are marginalized or in need. You can volunteer your time or resources to charitable organizations, or simply practice kindness and compassion towards those around you.

Here's a simple devotional to Hekate that you can use in your personal practice:

Hail, Hekate, goddess of magic and mysteries!

You who walk the crossroads and hold the keys to the underworld,

I honor you with this devotional.

You are the torchbearer who illuminates the path,

the guide who leads us through the darkness.

With your wisdom and your power,

I seek your guidance and your blessings.

I offer you this incense, this candle, this libation,

as a token of my reverence and love.

May your presence be felt in my life,

may your light shine upon me always.

Hekate, hear my prayers and accept my offerings,

as I honor you on this day and every day.

Hail Hekate, queen of the night,

I honor you and give you praise.

If you want to dive into more about Hekate I suggest Dr. Cyndi Brannen’s work at Keeping Her Keys https://keepingherkeys.com/   

Here is a Dinner menu with recipes for a meal dedicated to Hekate:

Black Bean Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 cans of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cups of vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon of smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

• In a large pot, sauté the onion and garlic until they are fragrant and translucent.
• Add the black beans, vegetable broth, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper to the pot and bring to a simmer.
• Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the beans are tender.
• Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with a squeeze of lime juice and fresh cilantro on top.

Mushroom and Spinach Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 cups of chopped spinach
• 2 cups of chopped mushrooms (cremini or button)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Brush the portobello mushrooms with olive oil and place them on a baking sheet.
• In a pan, sauté the onion and garlic until they are fragrant and translucent.
• Add the chopped spinach and mushrooms to the pan and cook until the spinach is wilted and the mushrooms are tender.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon the mushroom and spinach mixture into the portobello mushrooms.
• Top each mushroom with a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Tart

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 1/2 cups of almond flour
• 1/4 cup of coconut oil, melted
• 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For the filling:

• 1 cup of dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup of coconut milk
• 1/2 cup of fresh raspberries
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• In a bowl, mix together the almond flour, melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
• Press the mixture into a tart pan and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
• In a pan, melt the dark chocolate chips and coconut milk over low heat, stirring until smooth.
• Pour the chocolate mixture into the crust and smooth it out.
• Top the tart with fresh raspberries.
• Drizzle honey and sprinkle vanilla extract on top.
• Chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Be sure to leave offerings from this meal on your altar, at a crossroads, or at some other liminal space.